Zaha Hadid-designed skyscraper planned for Qatar

The skyscraper will rise to a height of 38 stories(Credit: Zaha Hadid Architects)

Despite the death of its founder, Zaha Hadid Architects is set to stay in business for a while longer yet – as confirmed by the announcement of a new skyscraper for Qatar's first sustainable city, Lusail. The as-yet unnamed tower is due for completion in 2020.

Details on the new tower are still rather slim, but we know it was designed by Hadid before her death and that it takes design cues from the desert hyacinth, a flowering plant native to the Arabian Gulf.

Comprising a total floorspace of 70,000 sq m (753,473 sq ft), it will rise to a height of 38 stories and include hotel and residential spaces. Interestingly, it will also sport a mashrabiya latticed facade to lower solar heat gain.

The project will be located in Lusail, a large ongoing development promoted as Qatar's first sustainable city and slated to house up to 450,000 visitors and residents.

The skyscraper is being developed with Arup Engineering and Atelier Ten. It was commissioned by Al Alfia Holding, which actually has another Hadid-designed project planned for Lusail, too. However, no details have been released as yet.